Polynesian Mermaid Stories
In Hawaiian mythology, mermaids are both sea goddesses and sea gods. They were anthropomorphic hybrids of fish, snakes, eels, octopuses, and even crocodiles. Mo'os may be extraordinarily tiny or enormous monsters. It was thought that Mo'os evolved first from gecko lizards, then from human women, and last from sea goddesses. Mo'o might be found in fresh and salt water, rivers, lakes, ponds, lagoons, and the ocean. A Hawaiian proverb claims every woman has a small amount of Mo'o inside of her.